Category: Peter Farrelly/Charles Wessler Project | Posted by:DaisyMayArticle Date: May 14, 2011 | Publication: PR Web | Author: StaffPublication/Article Link:PR Web
Of all the roles Gerard Butler has done, this one seemed to be one of the more entertaining both for him, and for the crew. Peter Farrelly has gathered together a group of A-List actors including Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, and Gerard Butler for his newest sketch-comedy film. The film entitled "Happy Birthday" was co-Produced by Bob Bekian of Loyal Studios.

Butler donned a green screen shirt, leaving only his head visible with wild hair and make-up applications in order to play the role of a leprechaun. "I play the most perverse, disturbing, disgusting, foul-mouthed leprechaun you could ever imagine," Butler comments. For the ripped star of "300" and "Gamer," getting into the role meant getting into the body of someone else --literally. The greenscreen technology utilized for "Benjamin Button" was applied in this shoot in order to place Butler's head onto the body of a very talented little person.

Butler remained on set for the entire multi-hour shoot and was a consummate professional, keeping up the spirits of the cast and crew by cracking jokes and having a good time. "Gerard Butler is a real pro," says Bekian, "and this project brought together an incredible cast and crew." With Greg Nicotero of KNB effects working his magic with make-up, and Brett Ratner directing, the creativity in the studio was unbelievable."
The production was shot with the Panavision Genesis system.

"The genesis is a system developed Between Panavision and SONY to record onto the SONY HDSR tape, which we recorded through a set up with a live greenscreen composite system," Bekian adds. The cameras and technical support were provided by Pro HD Rentals of Burbank, CA, which set up the entire technical configuration in conjunction with Loyal Studios pre-lit facilities in Santa Monica.